After several weeks of rumors about the acquisition, Arista has now confirmed that it has indeed acquired software defined networking (SDN) pioneer Big Switch Networks. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Founded in 2010, privately owned Big Switch’s Big Cloud Fabric (BCF) software lets customers manage physical switches as a single fabric that includes security, automation, orchestration and analytics. BCF can run on a variety of certified switches from Dell EMC, HPE and others.
“Big Switch BCF technology is meant for more of a converged fabric customer than we would have addressed until now,” Jayshree Ullal, President and CEO for Arista Networks said during the company’s 4Q financial call with analysts today. “Big Switch has tremendous engineering expertise and gives us a deep entry into packet network technology.”
Additionally, the partnership that Big Switch established with Dell Networking, to deliver cloud fabric and observability capabilities, will extend to Arista.